In the
darkest hours of one's existence, one realizes one's inexperience and must cede
the reigns of life to one more capable, willingly or not. That one rushes off
into battle, sword raised and mind trained in its form and function, yet mired
and harassed by the unseen enemy, always three steps ahead. Be it adolescence
pondering the strength and bounds of emotion and reason, or the transition betwixt
the elder and the sage, pondering the mysteries of life and death. It is
inevitable, that one should cede these reigns, transcending gender, class, and
era. And it is inevitable that one grows weary of its burden and seeks peace
and respite. In times of such emotional storms preceding decision, some come to
cherish rush of the wind. Some savor defying the bolts of lightning and the
buffeting rain. We roar with the thunder, in the sheer exhilaration of defiance
and living, working toward one's ideal. But when one attains it, it falls
naught to ash. Some are mere fishermen in the storm, tossed back and forth
among the waves, desperately trying to plan for survival, in the hands of fear
and death. But we men are creatures of balance, and it is rightly so. I tell
you not to trust yourself, as one uncertain surely can find little confidence
in oneself, but to trust in God and he shall provide. To end the advantage of
the enemy; to remain "free men" in the storms of life, one must cease
to plan at all, and accept the place the Divine Providence has found oneself.
But the path of acceptance; the
path to peace is not one free of burden or sorrow, but of sacrifice. In
submission to the path the Divine Providence gives unto you, one must first
sacrifice the comforting illusion of absolute control, and give themselves to
God. And rightly so, God will provide. A romantic knight is bound by Chivalry
in the west; a Samurai by Bushido in the East; one thus binds oneself to the best
of one's ability, to its Will. By Faith and heart as your cuirass and shield, with
the mind as the sharpest of swords, plunge oneself into the unknown, and be
comforted that what one does that day be naught in vain. With sacrifice comes
the virtue of discipline in which sacrifice is maintained; one of honor, in
keeping of such values; as one of strength, as the trials of tomorrow hone
one's prowess. It is in such exercise one keeps fit, and in such satisfaction
one finds peace.
In this
new and "progressive" society, we are coddled like children in the
arms of technology. Our hearts stray from the balance of such sacrifice and
codes. Alas this world grows weary, as men begin to lose direction. Society
itself has lost sight of its purpose. Tradition becomes more of a burden and
its truths left for naught. It is in willing sacrifice, one will find strength.
It is through sacrifice, one would find love. It is through sacrifice God's
will be done. And it is through sacrifice God's will was done. Look to Joseph
and his trials. Look to the trials of Israel, as they were scattered for more a
thousand years. Look to the trials of Christ, who made the sacrifice for our
sins. For truly, there is no greater sacrifice, than a man who'd give his life
for a friend. Even unto death, sacrifice will bring us peace. Accept the place
the divine Providence bestows upon oneself, this unique, unknown, and untried
path, and death itself will no longer be troubling . For in the path the
benevolent, divine Providence bestows upon oneself, lies a path of meaning
through service. In surrendering to the path, one's eyes will awaken and one's
purpose, in part, would be revealed. Even in death, one shall serve, and in
sacrifice, one will realize that one's life and death would be naught in vain.
Through Sacrifice, one would become an instrument for the divine Providence to
shape and touch the lives of those around, the subtle impact of which lasting
generations. And in such purpose, one can truly find transcendent peace.
